BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

lUSTIIALIAN AND N.Z CAULK ASSOCIATION. DEBATE ON I N EMPLOYMENT. LONDON. May 29. In the Commons .Mr MacDonald took charge of the debate on unemployment when Sir W. .Joynson I licks re-intro-duced his motion mentioned on 22nd. May. It has been a day of intense pjlitkal excitement with talk of a dissolution. The Ministerialists urgently whipj e I ii]) for a division. Sir Robert Horne opened the debate and declared the country’s patience was exhausted. The Government’s record was one of hypocrisy and dismal failure. Mr MacDonald’s gaze was so fixed oil the foreign horizon that he stumbled over iiis own door mat. Air MacDonald, who received an ovation from his followers, regretted Sir Robert Horne's tub thumping. H * agreed the opinion of the country was changing, but the charge was against the opposition and in favour of Labour. lie concluded that Sir Joynson Hick’s motion was one of censure, and if passed he assured the Opposition that he would (b> his host to meet them on the platform of the country. (Prolonged Ministerial cheers). At the conclusion of Mr MiieDonold's speech the Liliernls trooped out of the House to hold a party meeting to determine what their attitude was to he oil tlie vote. Consequently exceptional interest was attached to the speech of Mr Asquith, which was delivered a little later, lie indicated at an early stage that the Liberals were

prepared to give the Government a little more time to turn round.

SUPPORT GOVERNMENT. LONDON. Max' 29. Interest in the speeches was eclipsed hv happenings outside the Chamber which were determining the l.ilieral attitude. Sir R. Horne v Conservative) was aware of a first abortive Liberal meeting outside, and made great play of the Liberals’ difficulties, lie aroused loud Conservative laughter by descril>ing the Liberal., as “patient oxen trading out Socialist corn, whose day of sin lighter was not averted, but only postponed’.” I!e pictuied the Liberal leaders “bemoaning their dedicated followers,” and murmuring “alas my poor brothers;” Sir R. Horne was subject to a constant fire of interruptions, necessitating the Chairman appealing for a lair hearing. Mr .Mncßinaid chose to direct the Labour defence himself, instead of" - leaving the task to Air Tom Shaw who had made rather a poor showing lastweek,

The Premier's outstanding point was iiis defiant claim that tin; Opposition was afraid to face an immediate election.

The second Liberal meeting lasted hii hour, All present were pledged to secrecy, but later it was known that the majority were against Mr 1.-loyd George’s desire to administer 11 rebuff to the Government.-

Mr Asquith’s phrase: “I favour fair play,” revealed the Liberal __ vision, which was greeted with load cheers from the Conservatives. Mr *4 Asquith then asked if the latteVS cheers were intended to suggest that,because the Liberals were prepared to' give the Government time, they were obsequious minions of Labour?” A voice; “Patient oxen.”

Mr LI. iyd George, significantly, did not return to the House after the second Liberal meeting to hear Air Asquith's speech. The Labourites showed no satisfaction fit Mr Asquith's decision, which they regard as equvalept to a claim that the 1 ihernis have left them ill office on probation with a warning to mend their ways.

Captain P. E. fittest i;tl hunted lie was not able to follow Mr Asquith’* guidance, and voted against the Government. One hundred Liberals supported the Government. Forty Liberals, including Mr Lloyd George, did not vote. Only eight Liberals voted with the Opposition. Two I .ahour members came to the House from their sick lieds to vote.

SCHEMES TO FIND WORK

LONDON. May 29

In the lion?:* of Commons during the unemployment debate, Mr MacDonald declared the last Government had left tho. present one with hare cupboards. Unemployment schemes were tmextricahl.v involved with the problem of local rating and Imperial taxation. He outlined the Government’s proposed national schemes to meet the position, including large arterial roads and afforestation. The hitter was hound up with a land settlement scheme. He was of the opinion that the Government- ought to plant thirty thousand acres annually. Mr Baldwin said the Government s suggested schemes would not prove a positive remedy for unemployment, regarding which 'the Laoiiriteft were as far (iff as when they assumed office The debate on the main estimate was adjourned sine die.